The Ultimate Chicken Sausage Pasta: A Flavorful One-Pot Dinner

Are you searching for that perfect weeknight dinner? The kind that’s incredibly flavorful, packed with fresh vegetables, comes together quickly, and—best of all—leaves you with minimal cleanup? Your search is over. This easy, delicious Chicken Sausage Pasta is the one-pot wonder you’ve been dreaming of.

This is your ultimate guide to creating a complete and satisfying meal in a single skillet. We’ll show you how to perfectly sear savory chicken sausage, sauté a medley of summer vegetables like zucchini and tomatoes, and cook the pasta right in the pan with a light, flavorful sauce. Topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this Chicken Sausage Pasta is a guaranteed hit with the entire family.

What makes this recipe so special is its incredible efficiency and the way the flavors meld together. It’s the perfect, stress-free solution for a busy weeknight or a casual family dinner. Get ready to master your new go-to recipe for an easy, all-in-one Chicken Sausage Pasta.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Magic of a True One-Pot Pasta

While many recipes claim to be “one-pot,” they often have you cook the pasta separately. This guide includes instructions for a true one-pot method, which is the secret to the most flavorful Chicken Sausage Pasta. Here’s why it’s better:

• Maximum Flavor: By cooking the pasta directly in the skillet with the chicken broth and vegetable juices, the pasta absorbs all of that incredible, savory flavor as it cooks. It doesn’t just get coated in the sauce; it becomes part of the sauce.
• Creamier Sauce: As the pasta cooks, it releases starches into the liquid. This naturally thickens the chicken broth, creating a light yet creamy sauce that perfectly clings to every piece of pasta, sausage, and vegetable—no heavy cream required!
• Minimal Cleanup: This is the best part! Everything cooks in one large skillet, meaning you only have one main pot to wash. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner win.

The Key Ingredients for Your Chicken Sausage Pasta

This recipe uses simple, fresh, and flavorful ingredients that come together beautifully.

• Chicken Sausage: The star of the show! The beauty of using pre-cooked chicken sausage is that it’s packed with flavor and only needs to be seared. You can use any kind you love—from mild Italian to spicy jalapeño or a savory spinach and feta.
• The Vegetables: A classic summer combination of diced onion, minced garlic, sliced zucchini, and sweet cherry tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes burst as they cook, helping to create the fresh, light tomato sauce.
• The Pasta: A short pasta shape with plenty of nooks and crannies is perfect for this dish. Rotini (as used here), penne, fusilli, or bowties are all excellent choices for catching the delicious sauce.
• The Sauce Base: A simple combination of chicken broth, dried Italian herbs, and the juices from the sausage and vegetables creates a light yet deeply flavorful sauce for your Chicken Sausage Pasta.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle of salty, nutty Parmesan cheese at the end brings all the flavors together.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your One-Pot Chicken Sausage Pasta

This recipe is designed for ease and efficiency. For the most authentic “one-pot” experience with the best flavor and texture, we recommend the following method.

(The Ultimate One-Pot Method)

1. Prepare the Sausage: If using uncooked chicken sausage, remove the casings. If using pre-cooked sausage, slice it into 1/2-inch rounds.
2. Sear the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until it is browned and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the sliced zucchinis and halved cherry tomatoes, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Build the One-Pot Meal: To the skillet with the vegetables, add the uncooked pasta, the 1 cup of chicken broth, an additional 2 1/2 cups of water, the dried basil, and salt and pepper. Stir everything together.
5. Simmer and Cook: Bring the liquid to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
6. Combine and Serve: Stir the cooked chicken sausage back into the skillet. Let it heat through for another minute. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Your Chicken Sausage Pasta is ready! Serve hot, garnished with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese.

(Classic Two-Pot Method – As Written in Prompt)

If you prefer to cook your pasta separately, you can easily follow the original method.

1. Cook Pasta: Cook 8 ounces of pasta in a separate pot according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Sear Sausage & Sauté Veggies: Follow steps 1-3 from the one-pot method above.
3. Combine & Simmer: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the cooked pasta, the 1 cup of chicken broth, and the seasonings. Stir everything together and simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Serve: Garnish your Chicken Sausage Pasta with Parmesan cheese and enjoy.

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Storage and Reheating

Leftover Chicken Sausage Pasta stores beautifully. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or gently warm it in a skillet over low heat. You may want to add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen up the sauce as it reheats.

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Conclusion: Your New Weeknight Favorite

This Chicken Sausage Pasta is the perfect answer to the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma. It’s a complete, balanced meal in a single pan, packed with savory protein, fresh vegetables, and satisfying pasta. Whether you use the classic method or the true one-pot technique, this dish is a guaranteed winner for its incredible flavor and effortless cleanup. It’s a recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to week after week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)